Always remember that custom tours are available and we accept direct bookings. Note: Interested in visiting South Africa ... please enquire “If you can dream it, you can do it” - Pauline Forbes NOTE: Expeditions involve an element of personal risk and at times can be of a hazardous nature. Expedition members must accept this risk; we are not liable for any loss or damage caused to you or your baggage as a result whether directly or indirectly, or any matter of whatever nature, which is outside our control. All participants are advised to take out an insurance policy to cover personal accident and medical expenses. We can arrange this at a low cost. Please travel with your personally prescribed medications and medical certificates, medical alert bracelets etc

Mountaineering - (hill-walking, trekking, rock-climbing)
Bird Ventures

Kenya possesses one of the richest and most diverse avifaunas in Africa: this reflects the country’s varied habitats and the fact that it lies at the intersection of several biogeographical zones. Some 1,070 species have been recorded; nine (9) are national endemics and fourteen (14) can be considered globally threatened. A number of other species or groups are of particular national concern.
Fanshawe,J.H. & Bennun, L.A. (1991). Bird Conservation in Kenya: creating a national strategy. Bird Conservation International (1991) 1:293-315

You may also find these books helpful in your birding experience:

2002, Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa. By Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe. Published by T & AD Poyser, London.

1996 Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. By Zimmerman, Turner, Pearson, Willis amd Pratt. Published by Russel Friedman Books, South Africa. 1991 By Guy Gibbon. South African Bird Sounds. Published and available at sabirding.co.za

MOUNT KENYA

5,199 m, the second highest peak in Africa. It is an ancient extinct volcano, during whose period of activity 3.1 - 2.6 million years ago it is thought to have risen to 6,500 m. There are twelve remnant glaciers on the mountain, all receding rapidly, and four secondary peaks that sit at the head of the U-shaped glacial valleys. The area inscribed includes the upper slopes of the mountain, and two salients which make up the National Park and surrounding Forest Reserve. With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes in Eastern Africa. The evolution and ecology of its afro-alpine flora also provide an outstanding example of ecological processes.

MT. KENYA-SIRIMON OUT CHOGORIA (5 DAYS/ 4 NIGHTS)

DAY 1: (NAIROBI/ NANYUKI)
Depart Nairobi mid morning for Nanyuki arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is spent in this area for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight in a budget hotel.

DAY 2: (OLD MOSES CAMP)
After breakfast, drive to Sirimon Park Gate. After Check-in start hiking through the Rain Forest for 9 km to Old Moses camp (3300m). Dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: (SHIPTON CAMP)
Depart Old Moses Camp at 7:30 am via Mackinders Valley to Shipton Camp (4200m). The distance takes 6 to 7 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: (POINT LENANA/ CHOGORIA)
Early morning departure (3:00 am) to the summit, a walk that takes 3 hrs to point Lenana (4985m) arriving at 6:30 in the morning. After sunrise, descend to Mintos Hut for full breakfast and later proceed down through the Gorges valley to Chogoria Bandas and campsite. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: (CHOGORIA/ NAIROBI)
After breakfast, set on morning journey to Chogoria (32km). 4WD vehicles are provided but during bad weather, climbers may have to walk some distance as vehicles may not reach the Bandas. From Chogoria transport is provided back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon.

MT. KENYA-NAROMORU OUT CHOGORIA (6 DAYS /5 NIGHTS)

DAY 1: (NAIROBI/ MT. KENYA)
Depart Nairobi in the morning arriving Naromoru in time for lunch. After lunch you proceed to a hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: (MET STATION)
After breakfast, we will proceed to Naromoru Park Gate and start hiking to Met Station (3300m). The hiking takes about 3 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: (MACKINDERS CAMP)
Depart Met Station after breakfast, we will proceed to Teleki Valley arriving Mackinders Camp (4300m) early evening. Picnic lunch enroute. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: (AUSTRIAN CAMP)
Depart at 10:00 am after breakfast ascending along a steep screw to Austrian Hut (4700m). Covering this distance takes about 3 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: (POINT LENANA/ CHOGORIA)
Departing at 5:30 am, we will proceed through Lewis Glacier to Point Lenana(4985m) arriving approx. 6:30 am in the morning. After the sunrise, descend down to Mintos Hut for full breakfast. Later descend along the famous Gorges Valley to Chogoria campsite. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: (CHOGORIA/ NAIROBI)
After breakfast, we will set on morning journey to chogoria (32km).4WD vehicles are provided but during the bad weather, climbers have to walk some distance as vehicles may not reach the bandas. From Chogoria transport is provided back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon.

MT. KILIMANJARO
Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and one of the largest extinct volcanoes, composed of three distinct smaller volcanoes; Kibo, Mawezi and Shira. You can climb Mt. Kilimanjaro anytime except in April and May during the long rains. January to March and August to October are the best climbing seasons.

We use the Marangu route which is the easiest and the most accessible.
  

MT. KILIMANJARO-MACHAME ROUTE (8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS)

DAY 1: (NAIROBI/ ARUSHA/ MOSHI)
Depart Nairobi by morning shuttle to Moshi arriving late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: (MACHAME HUT)
Drive to Machame Village. The climb begins at the end of the tarmac road, walking for about 6 hrs gradually ascending through the forested hills onwards to Machame Hut (3000m). Dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: (SHIRA HUT)
Early in the morning, you will cross a valley and stream before ascending a steep ridge. The path then drops into a river gorge before you climb more gently onto the moorland of the Shira plateau - 3,800m. Total climbing time is about 6hrs. Dinner and overnight.

 DAY 4: (BARRANCO HUT)
The path continues directly up the ridge towards Kibo, then turns right and descends into Barranco gorge. Climb to Barranco hut at 3940m shortly after. Total climbing time is about 6 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: (BARAFU HUT)
Crossing the Barranco Valley, climb the Barranco wall (not technical climbing), then follow the Kibo South Circuit. You will then turn left and climb up a ridge for about 2 hrs to Barafu hut at 4, 600m . Dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: (MWEKA HUT)
Very early start for the summit first to Stella Point and then Uhuru Peak at 5895m. After sunrise, descend down to Mweka hut, which takes about 6 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 7: (MWEKA GATE)
This is the last day of your climb. You will descend to Mweka Gate where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8: (ARUSHA/ NAIROBI)
Depart Moshi by morning shuttle back to Nairobi.

MT. KILIMANJARO-MARANGU ROUTE (7 DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS)

DAY 1: (NAIROBI/ ARUSHA/ MOSHI)
Depart Nairobi by morning shuttle to Moshi arriving late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.


DAY 2: (MANDARA HUT)
After breakfast, we will drive 45kms to Marangu Gate (1860m). Walk 9 kms through dense semi-tropical Rain Forest to Mandara Hut (2744m). Dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: (HOROMBO HUT)
Depart early morning for a 10hr walk up to Horombo Hut (3761m). The landscape becomes more rigged and rocky but superb, with mawenzi and Kibo peaks in view. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: (KIBO HUT)
After breakfast, proceed on a 6hr walk throguh spectacular mountain vegetation to Kibo Hut (4732m). Dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: (UHURU PEAK/ HOROMBO)
The final attempt to the summit is made in the early hours of the morning at 2:00 am. It takes about 5 hrs to the most difficult steep part of the route to Gilman Point(5681m). From Gilmans, it takes one hour thirty minutes to Uhuru Peak (5895m.) Descend to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: (MOSHI/ ARUSHA/ NAIROBI)
Descent is rapid. After breakfast, walk down to Marangu Gate for transfer to Moshi. Dinner and overnight in Moshi.

DAY 7: (ARUSHA/ NAIROBI)
Depart Moshi by morning shuttle back to Nairobi.

BIRD VENTURES:

14 DAYS BIRD VENTURE

DAY 1, NAIROBI
You will be met by a Front Trails Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel.
You will have this day to relax and enjoy the night in Nairobi.

DAYS 2,3 MERU NATIONAL PARK
Our safari starts in Nairobi at 0730 am with an early morning Safari Briefing at the hotel. Our specialist ornithologist guide will brief you and accompany the safari throughout. We depart for a day’s drive through Kenya’s central highlands and eastwards to Meru National Park. The scenic drive takes us through a range of eco-systems, from the lush farmlands of central Kenya to the dry north-eastern border country. On arrival in Meru National Park we have time to stretch our legs and take a first look round this beautiful dry, balmy wilderness with over 500 species of birds recorded here.

DAY 4 MOUNT KENYA
After a morning spent in Meru National Park we take a picnic lunch and head off to the forested slopes of Mount Kenya. In the afternoon we drive to our lodge, arriving in time for a birdwalk through the riverine forests where Black Duck, Hartlaub's Turaco, Crowned Hornbill, Paradise and up to 8 species of sunbird may be found.

DAYS 5,6 ABERDARE & LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Early breakfast is followed by a morning drive to the fresher, cooler climes of the Aberdare Mountains and on through the numerous vegetation zones up to the meteorological station at 10,000 ft and on to the unique Afro-alpine moorland some thousand feet above where endemic plants such as Lobelia, Groundsel and Senecio are found. After a picnic lunch on the Moorlands, we depart for the Great Rift Valley arriving in time for lunch.
We will spend the afternoon birding around the shores of the Lake Nakuru. On our second day we drive across to the far end of Lake Nakuru National Park with a picnic lunch for a full day’s uninterrupted birding in this fascinating eco-system, renowned for its birdlife and as one of Kenya’s most successful Rhino Sanctuaries.

DAY 7 LAKE BARINGO
We will leave after an early breakfast for a drive through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Baringo. In the late afternoon we will take a boat ride to Island Camp: a delightful rustic tented camp nestling on the island cliffs and classed over many years as one of our visitors favorite places in Kenya.

DAY 8 LAKE BOGORIA
After breakfast we will cross Lake Baringo by boat and take to the road for a short trip to spend the day viewing the bird species and other wildlife which frequents the alkaline lake and hot springs of Lake Bogoria. We make a day of it with a picnic lunch overlooking the hot springs of Bogoria.

DAYS 9,10 KAKAMEGA RAINFOREST
We will leave after an early breakfast for a full day’s scenic drive over the Tugen Hills, through the Kerio Valley and Serikwa plateau and finally onto Kakamega Forest. We stay at Rondo Retreat just inside the Forest. Originally a retreat for missionaries, this delightful haven is now open to other visitors: the peaceful gardens are an ornithologist's dream, alive with different species of bird, including Great Blue Turacos, Hornbills, and Joyful Loveleafs. We will spend our days exploring Kakamega Forest National Reserve.

DAYS 11, 12 WEST MAASAI MARA
We will leave Kakamega after an early breakfast for a scenic drive past Lake Victoria and onto the north west boundary of Kenya's famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. We will spend our days driving or walking in this amazing eco-system which borders Tanzania’s Serengeti Reserve

DAY 13 EAST MAASAI MARA
Our grand finale is in the eastern Maasai Mara where we can seek Africa's smallest bird of prey - The Pygmy Falcon ; and its largest - the antelope hunter - The Martial Eagle.

DAY 14 DEPARTURE
After an early breakfast & morning game drive, return to Nairobi via the Rift Valley.

20 DAYS BIRD WILDERNESS SAFARI

DAY 1: (NAIROBI-MT. KENYA)
Departure from Nairobi at 9.00 am for Mount Kenya National Park arriving in time for lunch at Mountain Lodge. Afternoon birding along the nearby-forested trails, or waiting for glimpses of the shy wildlife as they comes down to the nearby waterhole/saltlick. We hope to see Olive & Bronze-napped Pigeons, Silvery-cheeked Hornbills, Ruppell's Robin Chat, White-starred Forest Robin, Mountain Greenbul, Stuhlman's Starling and maybe Verreaux Eagle Owl. Dinner and Overnight.

DAY 2: (MT. KENYA)
An early breakfast is followed by a short morning drive up Mt Kenya's lower slopes, through the numerous vegetation zones and onto the 10,000 ft Afro-alpine moorland. Then return in the afternoon for a bird walk along the riverine forests where we expect to see species like Black Duck, Hartlaub's Turaco, Crowned Hornbill, African Paradise Flycatcher and up to eight species of sunbird our Dinner and Overnight.

DAYS 3 & 4: (MT. KENYA-LAKE NAKURU)
Early morning departure and drive across The Great Rift Valley wall and onto the Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving in time for lunch. Here we will enjoy outstanding game drives & bird walks all making this a truly memorable locality. Lake Nakuru is famous for Flamingos, Pelicans and water birds but equally rich in Narina's Trogon, Arrow-Marked Babbler and Red-Headed Weaver, Hilderbrandt's Francolin, Montane and Dusky Nightjars and many more.

DAYS 5 & 6: (LAKE NAKURU-LAKE BARINGO)
After a short drive north, past Lake Bogoria and onto Lake Baringo. We will embark on an afternoon boat excursion to view Hippo, Crocodiles and water birds at close range. Dark Chanting Goshawk, Silver bird, Cliff Chats, Jackson's & Yellow-Billed Hornbills, Brown-tailed Rock Chat, Bristle-Crowned Starlings, Verreaux Eagle & Spotted Eagle Owl.

DAYS 7 & 8: (LAKE BARINGO-KAKAMEGA)
Take a full day drive over the Tugen Hills, through the Kerio Valley and Sirikwa plateau and finally onto Kakamega Forest. Kakamega is the eastern most remnants of the great West African rain forests that once stretched the width of Africa, its flora, fauna & avifauna is fascinating. Specialties include Great Blue Turaco, Emerald Cuckoo, Blue-headed Bee-Eater, Black & White Casqued Hornbill, Black-billed and Violet’s Black Weavers.

DAYS 9-12: (KAKAMEGA VIA LAKE VICTORIA TO MASAI MARA)
After an early breakfast take a journey heading south past Lake Victoria, and onto the Maasai Mara, East Africa's finest wildlife sanctuary. All the big game “Big Five”, Black Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Topi, Eland, Thompson and Grant's Gazelles, and many more are all well represented alongside local specialties such as Open-billed Storks, Temmick's Courser, Yellow-throated Sand grouse and Denham's Bustard. We’ll spend our next four nights at Mara Springs Tented Camp.

DAY 13: (MASAI MARA-NAIROBI)
After an early morning game we will drive back to Nairobi.

DAY 14: (NAIROBI-TARANGIRE)
After Breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel by a Tourist Shuttle Bus which will transfer you to Tanzania. After finishing with the immigration procedures you will cross into Tanzania arriving in Arusha. After lunch and refreshments you will drive to Tarangire National Park. Situated 114km from Arusha, Tarangire National Park boasts magnificent herds of wildlife. The park gets its name from the river those threads its way through the length of the reserve. It is famous for its dense wildlife population. Thousands of animals - wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and fringe-eared Oryx - migrate from the dry Masai Mara steppe to the Tarangire River looking for water. Lion and other predators follow the herds.

DAY 15: (TARANGIRE)
After breakfast you will head out for birding and wildlife viewing in Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is the home of Tanzania's oldest Elephants and bird life is Prolific too. The endemic Ashy Starling and the rare Yellow colored Lovebird are numerous in Tarangire. You will spend the entire day exploring the bushes in Tarangire.

DAY 16: (TARANGIRE-SERENGETI)
An Early morning drive to the Serengeti National Park will be our focus of the day, which is actually a continuation of the Masai Mara Eco System. The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world. "Serengeti" means "endless plains" in the Masai language, and within its boundaries are more than three million large mammals. About 35 species of plains animals can be seen here including the so called "big five" - elephant, rhino, lion (more than 2,000 of them), Leopard and Buffalo. Most of the plains game congregates in Southern Serengeti, followed by their attendant predators. Some time in May or June the herds migrate North and West in search of water. They remain in North Serengeti and the western corridor during the dry season, July-October, returning South again as the November rains approach. The Wildebeest calving takes place on the short grass plains during late December - early February. In their wake follow the predators; lion cheetah and hunting dogs with vultures circling overhead. Other common species found here include hippo, giraffe, eland, impala and other antelope types, baboons, monkeys and a profusion of almost 500 bird species.

DAY 17: (SERENGETI)
This morning you will have an optional pre breakfast opportunity to walk around the camp grounds birding, being escorted by a local resident Masai tribesman. You will then embark on a full day on the Serengeti Plains exploring the entire park and as well searching for the two Endemic birds on the plains, which include the Grey Breasted Spur fowl, and the Fisher's Lovebird.

DAY 18: (SERENGETI-NGORONGORO)
After an early game drive and all the wildebeest migration excitement, you will then drive out of the Serengeti plains into the famous Ngorongoro Crater. Overnight at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge. Listed by Unesco as a world heritage site, the incomparable Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest "caldera". A caldera is the broad, crater-like basin of a volcano formed by the collapse of the central cone. Dominated by cliffs standing some 600 meters high and presenting a sheer drop down to a wide open space of some 264 square km, the crater is one of the most amazing sights seen anywhere. The Crater is home to 25,000 larger mammals, almost half of them zebra and wildebeest. There are also gazelle, buffalo, eland, hartebeest and wart hog. Such vast numbers attract predators a plenty, mainly lion and hyena but also cheetah and leopard. More than 100 species of birds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted here. Countless flamingos form a pink blanket over the soda lakes. Our next night will be at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge.
 
DAY 19: (NGORONGORO)
We will spend the hold day with picnic lunches exploring the wonders of Ngorongoro on the Crater floor taking our last wildlife pictures before returning at the lodge for Dinner and Overnight at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge.

DAY 20: (NGORONGORO-NAIROBI)
Today you will leave Ngorongoro and be transferred to Arusha. After lunch you will be transferred to Nairobi by a Public Tourist Shuttle Bus and later be transferred to Nairobi Airport for your evening flight home, or you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport for your outbound flight depending on your flight arrangements or a Shuttle bus to Nairobi if out bound Flight in Nairobi.

Note: UPON YOUR ARRIVIAL IN NAIROBI, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE RECEIVED AT THE AIRPORT BY A FRONT TRAILS SAFARI REPRESENTATIVE.